purchase

1 of 2

verb

pur·​chase ˈpər-chəs How to pronounce purchase (audio)
purchased; purchasing
Synonyms of purchasenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to obtain by paying money or its equivalent : buy
b
: to acquire (real estate) by means other than descent
c
: to obtain by labor, danger, or sacrifice
d
archaic : gain, acquire
2
: to constitute the means for buying
Our dollars purchase less each year.

intransitive verb

: to purchase something
purchasable
ˈpər-chə-sə-bəl How to pronounce purchase (audio)
adjective
purchaser noun

purchase

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act or instance of purchasing
2
: something obtained especially for a price in money or its equivalent
3
a(1)
: an advantage (such as a firm hold or position) used in applying one's power
clutching the steering wheel for more purchase— Barry Crump
(2)
: a means of exerting power
b(1)
: a mechanical hold or advantage applied to the raising or moving of heavy bodies
(2)
: an apparatus or device by which advantage is gained

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of purchase in a Sentence

Verb He purchased a new suit for a hundred dollars. I need to purchase a new heavy coat. Noun
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The first scam started with a call from a woman who identified herself as a government official and told the victim his Social Security number had been stolen and used by someone to purchase child pornography. — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025 Government Bonds Investors seeking a low-risk investment option or those interested in supporting economic development initiatives may wish to purchase government bonds. — Jean Francois Harvey, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
Each soap purchase includes a redemption code for exclusive downloadable content in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 — specifically, a custom in-game calling card. — Wwd Staff, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025 Marketing must track who's moving toward a purchase and speed deals up (shrink sales cycles, secure stakeholder buy-in, drive high-intent actions). — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purchase

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English purchacen, from Anglo-French purchacer to strive for, obtain, from por-, pur- thoroughly, to a conclusion (from Latin pro- forward, for) + chacer to pursue, chase — more at pro-

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1d

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purchase was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing purchase

Rhymes for purchase

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Browse Nearby Words

purchase
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Cite this Entry

“Purchase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purchase. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

purchase

1 of 2 verb
pur·​chase ˈpər-chəs How to pronounce purchase (audio)
purchased; purchasing
: to get by paying money for : buy
purchase a house
purchasable
-chə-sə-bəl How to pronounce purchase (audio)
adjective
purchaser noun

purchase

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of purchasing
2
: something purchased
3
: a secure hold, grasp, or place to stand
could not get a purchase on the ledge

Legal Definition

purchase

1 of 2 verb
pur·​chase
purchased; purchasing

transitive verb

1
: to acquire (real property) by means other than descent or inheritance
2
: to obtain by paying money or giving other valuable consideration
specifically : to take (property) by a voluntary transaction (as a sale, mortgage, pledge, lien, or gift) that creates an interest and that is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code see also bona fide purchaser

intransitive verb

: to purchase something
purchasable adjective
purchaser noun

purchase

2 of 2 noun
: an act or instance of purchasing: as
a
: the acquiring of real property by any means other than descent or inheritance
b
: the acquiring of an interest in property especially in exchange for valuable consideration see also word of purchase

More from Merriam-Webster on purchase

Nglish: Translation of purchase for Spanish Speakers

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